Berkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hungerford-bookshop"><a href="https://hungerfordbookshop.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hungerford Bookshop</a></h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adults">Adults:</h3>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/02/pet-catherine.jpg" alt="" aria-hidden="true" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Pet by Catherine Chidgey</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>I&#8217;m only day two into reading <em>Pet</em> by Catherine Chidgey and I&#8217;m already hankering to get back to it as soon as I get home. It flicks between the present day and 1980s, when the main character, Justine, 12, is coping with the loss of her mother, and navigating friendships. Like every other girl in her class, she&#8217;s drawn to her new charismatic teacher who makes Justine her &#8216;pet&#8217; much to the chagrin of the others. When a thief begins to target the school, Justine senses something&#8217;s not quite right. With each twist of the plot, this gripping story of deception takes a yet darker turn. </p><p>I&#8217;m loving being reminded of my own 1980s childhood through the domestic details (<em>Care Bears</em> pencil cases etc) and the emerging themes of misogyny and racism means it will be a good one to discuss at our book group. But more importantly, I&#8217;m dying to know what happens next&#8230;</p></div></div></div></div>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kids">Kids:</h3>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/02/wild-robot.jpg" alt="" aria-hidden="true" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">The Wild Robot by Peter Brown</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>I first discovered this author through reading his wonderful picture book <em>Mr Tiger Goes Wild</em> when my children were young. Now they are older we have devoured all three in The Wild Robot trilogy (soon to be made into a film I believe). They are beautifully and gently written, but with some adventure too. When the action happens you care so much about Ros the robot and her &#8216;son&#8217; Brightbill &#8211; who live on a remote island amongst the wildlife &#8211; that you are willing them to be ok. This is a heart-warming read, and beautifully illustrated too. Everyone should read it!</p></div></div></div></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-little-bookshop-cookham"><a href="https://www.thelittlebookshop.info/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Little Bookshop</a>, Cookham</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adults-0">Adults:</h3>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/02/list-suspicious-things.jpeg" alt="" aria-hidden="true" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>This is a fabulous coming of age debut novel set in Yorkshire during the Thatcher era. The Yorkshire Ripper is stalking the streets and two young girls, Miv and Sharon, decide to investigate matters themselves. They begin to record the suspicious antics of their neighbours, who may or may not have secrets to hide, and we are introduced to a whole cast of brilliantly painted characters. There are dark themes, but this mystery novel is also full of heart and nostalgia, and you may even feel a little bereft to finish it.</p></div></div></div></div>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kids-0">Kids:</h3>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/02/worst-broommate.jpg" alt="" aria-hidden="true" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Worst Broommate Ever! By Wanda Coven</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Want to get your kids reading? Check out the first book in the New York Times bestseller <em>Middle School and Other Disasters</em> series where witch-in-training Heidi Heckelbeck juggles magical mishaps and everyday mayhem at her new boarding school. Featuring beautiful black-and-white illustrations and doodles throughout. Perfect for fans of <em>Dork Diaries</em>, <em>The Worst Witch</em> and <em>Harper Drew</em>.</p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/02/day-dog-famous.jpeg" alt="" aria-hidden="true" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">The Day My Dog Got Famous by Jen Carney</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>When Ferris Foster&#8217;s totally annoying neighbour boasts about videos of her dog, Princess Foo-Foo, going viral, Ferris foolishly claims that Aldo can easily become a BIGGER internet star. There&#8217;s just one problem: Aldo has about as much talent as a teaspoon. Will Aldo wow the world with his skills or is this about to be the biggest EPIC FAIL ever? Fans of Tom Gates will love this one.</p></div></div></div></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marlow-bookshop"><a href="https://marlowbookshop.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marlow Bookshop</a></h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adults-1">Adults:</h3>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/01/sophie-emlhirst.jpg" alt="" aria-hidden="true" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Maurice and Maralyn &#8211; a Whale, a Shipwreck, a Love Story by Sophie Elmhirst</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>There are so many adult books to love! But we&#8217;re excited about Sophie Elmhirst&#8217;s book <em>Maurice and Maralyn &#8211; a Whale, a Shipwreck, a Love Story</em>. It will appeal to fans of Rachel Joyce (<em>Pilgrimage of Harold Fry</em>) and Sarah Winman (<em>Still Life</em>) &#8211; but when you realise it&#8217;s a true story, readers of Raynor Wynn&#8217;s <em>Salt Path</em> will find much to like. Maurice and Maralyn is a beautifully written tale of survival and the story of a marriage not quite lost at sea.</p></div></div></div></div>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kids-1">Kids:</h3>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/02/skandar.jpg" alt="" aria-hidden="true" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Skandar and the Phantom Rider by A.F. Steadman</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>We think everyone should be reading this book &#8211; which is book 2 in the Skandar series (for anyone who hasn&#8217;t yet read book 1, it&#8217;s <em>Skandar and the Unicorn Thief</em>). The book is full of adventure and amazing characters, and is a top favourite in our young readers section.</p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/02/wind-willows.jpeg" alt="" aria-hidden="true" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>The book all children should read to kick start their reading journey is <em>Wind in the Willows</em>. It has local appeal for us (the author lived nearby and drew inspiration from the River Thames), and there are so many editions for beginner readers to love; thrilling stories, wonderful, memorable characters, and some cracking illustrations to enjoy as well.</p></div></div></div></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-weigh-in">The Muddy weigh-in</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adults-2">Adults:</h3>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/02/bright-young-women.jpg" alt="" aria-hidden="true" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>The novel currently setting up camp on my bedside table is <em>Bright Young Women</em> by Jessica Knoll (the author of the New York Times bestseller and no 1 Netflix movie <em>Luckiest Girl Alive</em>). Everyone&#8217;s gone nuts about this one so naturally I had to see what the hype was about. It&#8217;s a breakneck thriller with elements of psychological suspense and true crime based on Ted Bundy&#8217;s heinous crimes. Two women are at the helm, each with connections to the murders and are searching for justice. Safe to say I&#8217;m hooked. It&#8217;s shocking, devastating, and powerful, and I can&#8217;t wait to find out how it ends.</p></div></div></div></div>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kids-2">Kids:</h3>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/02/harry-potter.jpg" alt="" aria-hidden="true" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Harry Potter and the Philosopher&#8217;s Stone (Mina Lima Edition)</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>An oldie but goldie. No exaggeration when I say it&#8217;s pure magic. If there&#8217;s anything that can entice a kid to put down the tablet and pick up a wadge of paper it&#8217;s this spellbinding edition of <em>Harry Potter and the Philosopher&#8217;s Stone</em> &#8211; from graphic designers Mina Lima who worked on the movies. The book has been beautifully reimagined with over 150 gorgeous illustrations, eight interactive paper-engineered elements, and playful design details on every page. I read this the other day and was completeeeely blown away. I mean, there&#8217;s even a pull out letter to Hogwarts that looks exactly like the real deal. Need I say more? </p></div></div></div></div>


Books our local bookstores are totally obsessed with right now

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